'No parking lot near Taj Mahal': Unbelievable damage to monument
The SC has lashed out at UP and refused again to let it construct a multi-level parking lot near the Taj Mahal. When Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta insisted it would cause inconvenience to traffic movement and international-tourists, Justice Lokur said, "Don't worry about (them), they love to walk." According to the SC's observations, the government is doing poorly in preserving the reputed monument.
The Taj Mahal started turning yellow 20 years back
Almost two decades ago during 1998-2000, authorities noticed the Taj's signature white marble turning yellow. US President Bill Clinton quipped pollution had done "what 350 years of wars, invasions and natural disasters have failed to do to the Taj". The government undertook immediate protective schemes. Ten years later, it admitted it had failed: pollution levels in Agra had increased significantly in the meantime.
Polluted water, polluted air, polluted land
The Taj has borne the brunt of several factors: vehicles and factories in the vicinity have increased alarmingly, as has the number of tourists. Illegal mining in the Aravallis, dry sand from the Yamuna-bed and dust-laden winds from Rajasthan have raised pollution in Agra. The Yamuna is under intense pressure from a burgeoning population. Wood-burning crematoriums in and around the Taj don't help matters.
Instead of intervening, authorities have contributed to the crisis
Add to these the bureaucratic inefficiency to tackle the crisis. According to a study, Delhi burns 2-3% of the total municipal solid waste generated every day, while Agra burns 24%. Much of it is burnt in the open, leading to toxic smog. Now the government wants to construct a multi-level parking lot in the vicinity and an orientation centre for tourists.
"Your 'vision document' will lead to serious problems"
Thankfully, the SC has intervened and stayed construction of the parking lot. "Why don't you construct it beyond 1.5 km? Tourists can walk up to the monument." It dismissed a proposal to plant 110 saplings in return for 11 trees that would be cut for the construction. "If this is your vision document, then you're in for a serious problem."
Sustainable development is the need of the hour
The tourism industry wants more sops for visitors, while conservationists want to reduce the load on monuments. Sustainable development is key, the SC noted, posting the matter for further hearing on December 8. Wood-burning crematoriums and cow-dung burning have been banned, but measures like 'multani mitti' treatment haven't helped. Authorities need to do more, like enforcing stricter clean fuel policies, to prevent a disaster.
